Obs. Also 3 bise, 5 bys, besshe, 6 bice. [Origin unknown: possibly F. bis dark brown. The suggestion that it is the same as BISSE, OF. bisse, bisce, biche ‘female deer,’ hardly suits the sense, and the forms do not agree.]
Some kind of (? brown) fur, much used in the 15th c. for trimming gowns, etc.
c. 1280. A Sarmun, 11, in E. E. P. (1862), 2. Silk no sendale nis þer none no bise no no meniuer.
1407. Will of Escryk (Somerset Ho.). Furrata cum Bys.
1422. E. E. Wills (1882), 50. A gown furred with Besshe.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 50/3. A double stole furryd with byse.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, VIII. Prol. 57. Byand byssely … beuir and bice.
